Christmas 2010

Taking the dog for a Christmas Day walk.
All cozy and watching the Sound of Music - BEST movie on Earth!!

The 3 layer birthday cake for Jesus made in the Easy Bake Oven. I could have made a REAL triple layer cake faster than it took to put together this lovely (and so tasty!) creation!!

Brooke and I getting ready to break in the Easy(NOT!) Bake Oven! Now I understand why I never got one as a child even though I am stilled a little scarred by it! Thanks Mom:(

Luke trying out his new bow and arrow.

Andrew with his gift of an Etrade account. Every 11 year olds dream, right? Ha! Ha! A dream for Andrew. After much research he decided to invest in Cisco Systems.

The long wait on the staircase as we all get our cameras ready. Yes, there are pink streaks in Brooke's hair. She made me put them in when she woke up. Don't ask - I have no idea why!

Dad getting ready to read Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Brooke holding up her new sister's gifts.

THE LOOT. For Luke - a bow and arrow and a new game for his DS.
For Andrew - Robert Griffin III Baylor jersey (which he wore the entire break)and the computer game Civilization.

For Brooke - Easy Bake Oven and a pink DS.

For all three - a new Wii game

Trying to capture how beautiful this church was but my camera is not good enough.

Baking with the girls.

OSU stadium

Game faces.

Outside at Schmidt's - so yummy!

It was our first Christmas in our new house and it was wonderful. It was also a white Christmas which always makes it more festive! My parents came to visit and we spent another season making fun memories. Some of our activities included going to an Ohio State basketball game, eating at Schmidt's (a German restaurant we love) in German Village, ice skating, playing games, going to see "Tangled," cooking and eating great food, watching football, attending Christmas Eve services at a BEAUTIFUL church built by the Amish constructed to look like a barn, opening presents, enjoying each other's company, and did I mention eating! Most importantly, we loved celebrating the birth of our Savior.

This year the boys wanted cell phones and an Xbox. They got neither!!!! I told them well ahead of time I will never make Christmas about buying the ridiculously expensive latest and greatest in electronics. I will have to say that they are offended by rabid materialism at Christmastime, but it doesn't stop them from wanting to participate! And I want to start a movement against buying kids cell phones in elementary school - ridiculous!! They still made out ok in their opinions. The highlight for us was watching Andrew's face when he opened up the book on money management for kids and then finding in its pages an envelope that detailed his Etrade account Matt set up for him. (And yes, this is what he wanted for Christmas!!!) It was priceless! He spent much of the day researching stocks to invest in and much of the break reading the Wall Street Journal. I can't say I have met another 11 year old like him!